Childhood Obesity in Kentucky

“In Kentucky, 24.0% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Kentucky a ranking of 50 among the 50 states and D.C., https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/state-data/?state=ky..”  This article also states that 24% of children between the ages of 10-17 are overweight.  

Supplying students with more information about what it means to eat healthy food, how it can impact their health and wellbeing into their adulthood is a subject that needs to be highlighted more.  And that is exactly what the Nutrition Education Program does.

Recently the NEP Assistant in Grayson County, KY taught 3 fifth grade classrooms, with a total of seventy-three students, a series of six classes using the Professor Popcorn curriculum.  This curriculum focuses on healthy snacks, trying new foods and being more physically active. 

Students were given a pre and post test to gain insight into their eating and activity habits.

After the series was completed, 55% of students reported drinking less soda and sports drinks.  60% reported eating more vegetables as snacks; 39 % reported tasting more new foods; and 65% reported being more active and having less screen time. 

As you can see, the Nutrition Education Program continues to changes the lives of the students in Grayson.